CHAPTER XVI 



CIVICS 



The state supports the schools. The schools are the 

 avowed training centers for citizens of our republic. Conse- 

 quently, in return for the money lavished 

 Importance 



upon the schools, the state should be given 



citizens with a high degree of civic pride and honor, pre- 

 pared to render willing support, and possessed of a knowl- 

 edge of the possibilities and limitations of citizens. 



It is true that the family is, and always must be, the strong- 

 est influence in character training. The school can only 



supplement the efforts of the home ; but the 

 Institutional 

 Sense school may be a better instructor than the 



home in general information concerning the 

 duties of citizens. To be thoroughly a part of a man's life, 

 the conception of honest, unselfish citizenship must be com- 

 menced with the child. His understanding and appreciation 

 of the institutional side of his own character and of its 

 necessity in a well balanced life must be educated in his child- 

 hood. Many growing children are prone to cast off allegi- 

 ance to any person or institution simply from the belief that 

 it is a sign of strength to do so; but, if shown that such 

 allegiance is courage, loyalty, patriotism, that it appeals to 

 the best and bravest in man, it may be embraced with an 

 affection that long years of worldly struggle can not weaken. 

 The object of the course in civics is to purify and render 

 intelligible the child's institutional sense, and to direct it 



